Marrana has always been surrounded by strong, powerful women — her mom, grandmother, aunts, cousins, her sister (a fabulous discovery later in life), and friends — who shaped her with resilience, wisdom, humor, and fierce love. The men in her life growing up — uncles, and cousins — are also part of that supportive circle, rounding out the village that helped raise her in the best possible way. Her mom has long been her north star and unwavering cheerleader: feisty, loyal, endlessly curious, rooted in plants and reflexology… and with feeding people and talking with them at the very top of her list of life’s joys. Her grandmother, an immigrant from Germany, forged a new life while keeping her family connections alive across the ocean. She was strong, funny, wise, and family centered — if she liked you, you got offered coffee, and if not well… 😉. She is greatly missed here in this physical world.

Born in Tennessee, where she lived surrounded by family, steeped in being outside, playing in dirt, and hanging with the adults, Marrana’s childhood was full of spirit and grounding. At 13, her journey took her to Germany for part of her high school years and to experience where her ancestors came from. Living in another country helped shape her love of travel and her openness to new experiences. Eventually back to the U.S., and Florida, she attended massage school in St. Petersburg while working in the banking industry. It was during that time that she discovered yoga, and both practices became cornerstones of her life. She’s been a licensed massage therapist since 1996 (29 years and counting— wow) and an esthetician for over 13 years. Yoga has been a part of her life for 25+ years as both a practitioner and teacher. Along the way, she’s built lifelong relationships with students who’ve practiced with her across decades, through laughter, births, losses, tears (she loves a good cry during yoga — whether it’s hers or her students’), and everything in between. She also led her first yoga/hiking retreat in northern Spain, attended by her mom, her sister-in-love, and old & new friends — weaving together family, friendship, and practice in a way that felt like home.

Professionally, Marrana spent 17+ years at a well-known spa in Denver where she worked with another group of powerful women that helped shape her as a professional and a person. There she wore many hats — massage therapist, esthetician, yoga and spin instructor, spa coordinator/trainer, lead esthetician/massage therapist. 

She later worked with a respected Colorado skincare company as a sales rep, however her path shifted when her “heart & soul” pup, Dixie Chicken, found pain relief with CBD. She realized if it could make such a difference in Dixie’s life it could do that for us Humans as well. Learning about a new system in our bodies that works with plant medicine was in such a profound way was like salve to her soul ( CBD salve to be exact).That experience led her to Color Up in 2019, where she joined the company in sales and education. In 2023 when full ownership of the company changed over to the fearless, visionary Shauna B (original co founder of Color Up), Marrana stepped into the co-creation of VXN Wellness, and by 2025 she and Amber became partners alongside Shauna in building Color Up at House of VXN, tying their new vision to the roots of where it all began. Together they’ve shared friendship, deep conversations, so much personal growth, and business — with plenty of laughter, tears, strength, and support — while learning things that work and letting go of things that don’t, pivoting when needed, and finding their way to bring their vision alive. And now, Marrana is ready for the path she, Shauna, Amber, and “the mommas” are creating.

Herbalism is another thread running through her life. From learning in herbalism school (did not quite finished), and from her mother and friends, to making tinctures and medicine, she sees plants as lifelong teachers and healers. Herbalism, skincare, massage, yoga, education, and CBD all intersect in her world — not as separate chapters, but as one heart-led drive to explore healing, connection, and care.

Outside of her professional work, Marrana finds joy in movement, travel, and connection: walking in the mornings and evenings, working out with a friend, camping in tents or her camper Rhoada, dancing in the grass at live music shows, spontaneous adventures,  flights over the ocean in any direction, and road trips that all open her to new cultures, people, food, experiences, and landscapes. The mountains and the ocean both call to her, and her dream is to live where she can have both, or at least spend long stretches of time by each.

Those who know Marrana say she brings a grounding presence, yet her energy is anything but soft-edged — she lives in the moment, is vibrant, playful, and unstoppable when she’s in her flow. She will also cry with you if ever needed — she feels that crying is a beautiful release and that most of us feel better after a good cry, happy tears or sad ones. Her husband is her counterbalance, the steady, logical anchor to her heart-led drive to love life and make a difference. And if you look at her face, you’ll always know how she feels — says anyone who knows her — her emotions live there, unfiltered and real.

At the center of it all, Marrana is passionate about making a difference. Whether through the power of touch, a shared laugh, a deep conversation, holding space, or sharing products and rituals that remind people of their worth, her life’s work is about helping others feel seen, cared for, and empowered. With Color Up at House of VXN, she continues that mission: blending decades of hands-on experience with a vision of acceptance, love, wellness, and inclusivity that invites everyone to feel safe and at home in their life and in the ever-changing world.